by HOUSTON – The Houston Furniture Bank’s Third Annual Fundraising Gala on September 9, 2026, honored the work and support of Star Furniture and The Harris Center. Star Furniture is a Houston-based Berkshire Hathaway-owned Top 100 furniture retailer and The Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is a mental health provider.
“Star has been involved since the inception of the Furniture Bank. First, as an early financial supporter through the generosity of the Wolff family, and through the years as members of advisory councils, the board of directors, and through the support of our team members promoting awareness in our community,” said Star Furniture Vice President of Marketing Michael Galloway.
“However, our level of involvement in the last few years has escalated dramatically. One of Star’s core values — service — has become synonymous with our support of our community through several channels, but the Furniture Bank is chief among them. We are intent on leading the home furnishings industry into the role they can and should play in this type of work: meeting the needs of those in our community, addressing sustainability issues by keeping used furniture and mattresses out of landfills, and supporting the dignity of consumers who can enjoy the ‘second life’ of gently used furniture. ‘Furniture poverty’ is real. The need is great. There is much work to do in our industry.”
Dr. Steven Schnee, former director of the Harris Center, echoed the need.
“How we, living in one of the wealthiest states in the United States, assist some of our most vulnerable, challenged individuals and families, many with significant health and behavioral health complications, speaks volumes. More than 300 people came together on September 9th, opened their pocketbooks, and gave generously to provide financial assistance to enable The Furniture Bank to continue for another year.”
The Furniture Bank’s mission is turning empty houses into homes. For more than 33 years, The Furniture Bank has been serving families affected by poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, mental and physical health concerns, and disasters.
“While the most tangible thing we provide is furnishings, the underlying purpose is to restore dignity and stability to families in crises,” said Houston Furniture Bank Executive director Mohammed Oli. “Imagine walking into an empty house—no bed, no table, no couch—and being told this is home. For families transitioning out of homelessness or crisis, this is reality.”
Businesses and individuals can support the Houston Furniture Bank by donating your gently used furniture, volunteering your time, dropping off your mattress to be recycled (we’ve recycled more than 250,000 mattresses), shopping at the Furniture Outlet, or contributing to our No Kids on the Floor Campaign. Visit the website for more information.
